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Since at least 2000, Delaware County has held the title of fastest-growing county in Ohio —
until the past year.

Surprise: Franklin County edged out Delaware County to lead the state in percentage population
growth from July 2011 to July 2012. Franklin County grew by 1.38 percent, while Delaware County
grew by 1.37 percent, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Making the rare statistic all the more stunning is that Franklin County is Ohio’s second-largest
county, where the law of big numbers lessens percentage increases.

Franklin County recorded its highest growth rate since at least 2001, continuing to defy the
story line of decline and stagnation of the Midwest’s large urban centers, LaFayette said.

“Franklin County has grown consistently for as long as I can remember, and that is absolutely
amazing for a major urban county in the Midwest,” LaFayette said. “There probably aren’t any other
counties anywhere in the Midwest, and probably not outside the Sun Belt, that are like us.”

For Michael Dalby, president of Columbus Chamber, “it’s a continuation of a number of positive
factors about Franklin County and the central Ohio economy that just keep showing that we’re moving
in the right direction.”

Population growth typically is an indicator of job growth and economic health, a sign that a
local economy has traction, Dalby said.

“In Franklin County, economic activity is on the rise,” Dalby said. “Delaware County is still
doing pretty well. This shows that we’re continuing to move the needle.”

Franklin and Delaware counties also ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the number of
residents added. Franklin added 16,273, to 1,195,537 residents; Delaware was up 2,444 people, to
181,061. Because about two-thirds of the state’s counties lost population, Franklin County actually
added five times more people than did the state.

About a quarter of Franklin County’s growth came from international migration — the data do not
elaborate — while about half came from “natural growth,” or births outnumbering deaths, according
to the census bureau.

Delaware, meanwhile, recorded its lowest growth rate since 2001, and officials seemed caught
off-balance yesterday by the news that, after all those years at No. 1, they were suddenly in
Franklin County’s rearview mirror.

“Some of it’s just the way statistics are kept,” said Gus Comstock, Delaware County’s
economic-development director. “I think we’re all pretty much into regionalism — what’s good for
Franklin County is going to help Delaware County.”

“My first thought is it sounds a little surprising,” said Tim Hansley, Delaware County
administrator. “I’d like to analyze the data, but I think it’s good. My guess is it would be the
northern part of Franklin County as opposed to our southern part that is growing.

“I’m anxious to see where that growth came from and what census tracts experienced growth, but I
think the good news is, both are still growing.”

Cuyahoga County, home to Cleveland, lost almost 5,000 residents but remained the state’s
largest. But if trends continue, Franklin would surpass Cuyahoga as the largest within four
years.

“It’s sorry for the rest of the state, really,” said Reger. “It’s not the best story for the
state of Ohio.